Jul 29 1966
From The Space Library
Saturn V 3rd stage (S-IVB) was static-fired for full flight duration at Douglas Aircraft Co.'s Sacramento, Calif., test facility, MSFC announced. During captive firing-simulating operation of propulsion system during normal 3rd stage flight in a lunar mission-stage burned 150 sec., shut down for 1«-hr. simulated coast period, then reignited and operated 290 sec. Stage was powered by Rocketdyne J-2 hydrogen oxygen engine that would develop 200,000-lbs. thrust in flight. (MSFC Release 66-173)
First launch of USAF's Titan III-B-Agena launch vehicle from Vandenberg AFB placed an unidentified satellite into polar orbit. (SAC TWX; Av. Wk., 8/8/66,29)
July 29: NASA pilots Robert Champine and Ron Gerdes were among 15 pilots participating in "extensive evaluation" of USA's XV-5A V/Stol aircraft at Ft. Eustis, Va. Pilots' observations and evaluations were being compiled and studied by USA "for application on future XV-SA tests" and V/Stol aircraft in general. Test program would continue through September 1966. (Langley Researcher, 7/29/66, 4)
DOD announced that USA's OV-1 Mohawk surveillance aircraft had claimed five new world aviation records: (1) time to climb 3,000 meters (9,842 ft.)-3 min. 46 sec.; (2) time to climb 6,000 meters (19,685 ft.) 9 min. 9 sec.; (3) sustained horizontal flight altitude-32,000 ft.; (4) nonstop straight-line distance-2,422 mi. at 255-mph average speed; and (5) average speed over 100-km. (63-mi.) closed-circuit course at 5,000-ft. altitude-292 mph. Records claimed had been filed with Federation Aeronautique Internationale under new category for land-based turboprop aircraft weighing 13,227 to 17,636 lbs. (DOD Release 643-66)
NASA-sponsored space exhibit opened in Arts and Industries Building of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; exhibit would begin US. tour Sept. 5. (EH)
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